Germany kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Group E debutants Curacao on Sunday, 14 June, with kick-off set for 6:00pm BST (1:00pm ET) in Houston.

Julian Nagelsmann's side arrive at the tournament in strong form, having won each of their last nine matches across all competitions. That run includes four friendlies this year against Switzerland, Ghana, Finland, and co-hosts United States. Despite consecutive group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Germany enter this edition with renewed optimism and a generation of fresh talent.

Curacao, meanwhile, are making their first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals. Dick Advocaat's side topped their qualifying group last November, becoming the smallest nation — by both population (fewer than 160,000 people) and land area — to earn a place at the tournament. The Blue Wave carry no burden of expectation, which could prove liberating on the big stage.

Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna will captain Curacao, with his brother Juninho Bacuna set to line up alongside him in midfield. The veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 40, is expected to start for Germany despite a calf concern heading into the match.

How to watch Germany vs Curacao

The match is free to stream in several countries. UK viewers can watch on ITV1 or stream via ITVX, while Irish fans can tune in on RTÉ Player. Australian supporters get full coverage free on SBS On Demand, with an account and valid postcode required. Further free broadcasts are available via CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.

In the United States, the match is available on Fox, accessible through Fox One — which carries both Fox and FS1 and offers a 3-day free trial before charging $19.99 per month — as well as through YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling, Fubo, and DirecTV.

ITV will broadcast 51 World Cup games live in the UK, with a free account and valid TV licence required. Full replays are available on demand after each match.

Match preview

FourFourTwo predict Germany will win comfortably, forecasting a 4-1 result. For Curacao, the match represents a historic milestone regardless of the scoreline — and the Bacuna brothers' joint involvement gives their campaign a compelling subplot heading into the group stage.